Page 2 of Johny

A few of the older ones that had run with my Da decided that retirement was best, and some had moved back to Ireland while others stayed, but they seemed happy enough to no longer be running guns.

It was easiest for Adam to diversify; he kept his team and opened a security company. It seemed that heads needed to be busted no matter what you did. He provided security in the form of bouncers for clubs, as well as bodyguard services.

It was Liam and I who wondered what the hell we’d do. Liam had never thought that he’d ever be in charge, and he hated it, but I’d give my big brother his dues—he did a good job of getting us clean.

Noni had sold her and Rhett’s house and had given Liam the money to invest in any business we saw fit to help us go legit. We’d discussed a few options and both of us had felt that nightclubs were the way to go. We’d had enough money to buy one club but knew that wouldn’t be enough.

We’d eventually, with the help of the Crow MC, bought the other two nightclubs, Ozone and Atomic, that Liam managed, and I ran the upscalelounge, that served quality alcohol and live music as well as having a dress code. It was an expensive place, but we’d found that people liked a bit of something special for celebrations and such. I’d stuck with a simple name, and it was known simply as The Lounge.

It suited me down to the ground. When we’d run guns, it had been my job to ensure everything went according to plan. I’d done all the networking, found deals and ensured they ran smoothly. Massaging egos when I had to and pandered to the clients. Whatever needed doing, I did to ensure that our family always came out on top. According to my Da, I’d been born with a silver tongue and enough charm to last me a lifetime.

My job hadn’t really changed, I was still doing the same thing just this time it wasn’t with those that played around in the dark, instead I wheeled and dealed and rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, sending work Adam’s way as well as pushing their families towards our different businesses.

Their children in their late teens and twenties towards the nightclubs and my clients liked the ambience and sophistication of The Lounge. You’d think with all the charm I had going for me, I’d have better luck with women.

Maybe I would one day.

By us going into partnership with the Crow MC, it seemed that our lives were slowly moving back onto an even keel even if we’d had to send our younger brother Andy away to my Da’s brother in Ireland.

The boy had needed an attitude adjustment and none of us had the patience to work with him on it. My Uncle Sean had been happy to take him. I knew by the time he came back to us, if he ever did, he’d be a different person. We’d all spent time with Uncle Sean at one point or another. The man was big on tough love.

With summer upon us, everything was ramping up with the local campgrounds and beaches getting busier and busier. This would be our second summer, and I expected it to be better than last year. This year I’d had time to book bands and singers a year in advance instead of scrabbling around to try and find suitable talent at the last minute. Now that The Lounge was in the black and turning a profit, I was a little more relaxed.

Adam’s security business had picked up, and he was toying with adding another division, offering to fit security systems as well as doing onsite security. I thought that it would be a good thing to add on to his company and right in his wheelhouse.

Da had finally sold off Tommy’s house, and we’d invested that money with Bella and Avy, knowing from experience that anything could happen, and we may need it for a rainy day.

Liam was still having issues with theft at the clubs, but we weren’t sure when it was happening or how. While we had cameras set up outside, we didn’t have any inside. I had a feeling that would be changing and we’d be adding some before long. Especially if we kept losing money like we had been.

As for me, well, I’d continue with my search to find myself a woman, or hopefully, the one that was meant to be mine would find her way to me.

Maybe? No, not maybe, definitely. It couldn’t just be the Crows that found their women.

It had to be our turn. Right?

CHAPTER1

MAYA

August 2004

Oh, my lord, it was days like this that I found it so hard being a single mother. It’s not that I didn’t have support. I knew I just had to call up to the main house and someone would come and give me a hand. I wouldn’t, though, because I already felt like a freeloader, no matter how many times they assured me that I wasn’t, and they were more than happy to help me.

Not only had the Crows given me this lovely two-bedroom cottage and found me a job, but they didn’t expect me to pay rent, and that was the bit I struggled with, even though I was so grateful. It did mean that I was able to save for a rainy day.

Usually, I’d be able to get over my feelings of inadequacy, but when it’s two o’clock in the morning and you’ve been walking the floors for hours because your baby isn’t feeling well because she’s teething with her molars, it’s hard not to let those doubts creep up on you.

My arms were about ready to give out on me. I was so tired that I was about ready to join my little girl in crying. There wasn’t much I could do other than give her the children’s pain reliever and rub her gums with teething gel. She’d get through it just like Jackson had, but boy, was she miserable and she was making it known.

Emy sniffled against my neck, chewing on the cold soaked rag I’d given her in hopes that it would help. I didn’t think it did more than comfort her, but it had kept her quiet for a little while.

As that thought crossed my mind, she started whimpering again. ‘Maybe a change of scenery would help,’ I thought, and if I wasn’t going to get any sleep, I may as well go and clean and get a jump on my day. The kids could come with me. It wouldn’t be the first time, and Liam didn’t mind if I took them in with me.

Looking over at the sofa where my son wassitting watching cartoons, after being woken up by his sisters caterwauling.

“Jackson,” I called out, waiting for him to turn towards me. When he does, I ask, “What do you say we go for a little drive to the next town and you guys help Mummy clean up the club? Maybe by the time we’re finished, Emy will be feeling better, and we can all get some sleep.”

“Okay,” he nods, pushing his blanket off and going to put on his shoes.

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